Too Many Chiefs At CBS News?

Cibrowski and Wiess

CBS News’ recent ratings woes are being blamed in part on conflicting editorial visions at the top, according to a New York Post report that highlights tensions between editor‑in‑chief Bari Weiss and network president Tom Cibrowski.

Insiders told the Post the duo’s divergent strategies — Weiss pushing an aggressive digital, hard‑news agenda while Cibrowski favors a softer, more traditional broadcast approach — have produced friction and limited strategic cohesion. “They are an odd couple to me,” one source said. “There doesn’t seem to be a lot of synergies between them.” Another insider disputed that characterization, saying their styles are merging and that results will follow.

The Post quotes Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison as having expected the pair to “complement each other’s skills,” but reports indicate that expectation has not been fully realized. A CBS News spokesperson pushed back, telling the Post, “Bari makes editorial decisions, is standing up new projects, and oversees the organization’s transformation. Tom leads business operations and is working closely with the Morning Show. That’s not ‘odd.’ That’s how successful leaders work together.”

Ratings pressure: One of Weiss’s earliest moves after becoming EIC in October 2025 was appointing Tony Dokoupil as anchor of the CBS Evening News; he took over in January. Despite the change, evening news viewership has slipped — the Post reports a 7% decline in total viewers year‑over‑year and an 18% fall in the key 25–54 demographic. CBS Mornings also lagged in Q1 2026, down 13% in total viewers and 27% in the key demo versus the prior year.

Talent concerns: Sources told the Post the network lacks a deep bench of high‑profile reporters who can consistently carry breaking coverage. “You can’t do David Muir lite,” one source said, citing competitors’ seasoned anchors and correspondents as examples of the heavyweight talent CBS is perceived to be missing. The report notes Dokoupil’s move left a gap on the morning show that remains unresolved; Gayle King has recently renewed her contract and continues to co‑host with Nate Burleson.